The opportunity to shop for food online completely exploded last year. Grocery stores where you can buy food online are large chains today, plus several upstarts. The most common arrangement is to pick up your goods, as in any e-commerce, and then choose when to pick them up. But there are also grocery stores online that offer home delivery.

It starts and runs an online food business on your means with great opportunities. Today, it is easy to get started, and it also does not cost much for companies that want to take the step to start selling online as well.

Marketing on Social Media

Different channels are appropriate for diverse types of businesses and markets. In some rare cases, it can be relatively cheap to pay for marketing via, for example, Google ads or ads via Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc. In this post, we focus on what you can do on your own to keep costs down and, at the same time, drive traffic to your website.

In general, however, it is the case that cheap marketing (advertising, etc.) is affordable precisely because companies are not willing to pay for the marketing in question. There is, of course, a connection between price and supply/demand. 

If, for example, you are running a restaurant, then you are competing to win customers with your local market restaurant and running a food business. Consequently, the prices for advertising in this type of niche and market are not very high.  

In addition to the degree of competition in your market, some media are more suitable than others for your offer. Therefore, you must identify your target group to reach your target group in the best (cheapest and most effective way).

Market with Visual Messages

For example, it is usually better to reach out with visual messages via channels that allow this type of marketing in the food business. In other cases, sound may be a more advantageous channel than, for example, text or optical media.

One tip is to start by focusing on one marketing channel. Make sure the channel is appropriate for your defined audience. It can be Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or search engine optimization. It takes time to become good at mastering a channel.

Optimization of Search Engine

One possibility is to spend money on advertising, and organic search engine optimization is another possibility. This type of search engine optimization involves attracting visitors to your site by defining and optimizing specific keywords (“keywords”) that you want your site associated with by Google and other Internet search engines. For more organic search optimization, you want to end up high in the search hierarchy for, for example, Google’s (and other) search engines. 

Show Presence on Google My Business

Local presence is essential for running a restaurant, especially for eateries. Before placing an order with your company, a consumer will likely conduct an internet search and a fast check to see how others perceive your company. It includes customer feedback like whether you accept takeout, operating hours, etc.

You may claim your company on Google Maps and manage it from there. Maps will prompt you for information such as your open hours, website, phone number, etc. As a business owner, you may even answer patrons’ inquiries about your business.

It improves your company’s ranking when people search for it, making customer acquisition easier.

SMS Marketing

If you have a sale or update your clients about their orders, SMS is the best channel to employ. Thanks to its quick delivery and excellent engagement rates, SMS ensures subscribers get and read your messages even offline.

For your food business, SMS is a straightforward way to get started. The channel is ideal for deals and discounts that must be completed within a specific time. To begin delivering SMS, install a Shopify SMS marketing tool like TxtCart.

Apart from time-sensitive offers, SMS promotions may be used to upsell clients by suggesting things they are likely to buy based on recent purchase patterns.

Loyalty Program

Loyalty programs are a tried-and-true Shopify marketing approach. Customers who remain loyal are worth ten times more than those who make their initial purchase. However, how can you persuade your clients to keep communicating with you?

Many food businesses use Shopify to set up loyalty programs to encourage customers to act and earn incentives. This immediate pleasure lets customers connect with the company to win additional incentives. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

By: Jennifer Brazer

Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

How Employees Can Foster Effective Communication with Remote Managers

Imagine this: You’re halfway through completing a critical task at home, only to find the instructions in your manager’s email unclear. You email back asking for clarification, and it spirals into a long thread of back-and-forth exchanges. Frustration builds, and the original task gets delayed. Sound familiar? This is the silent cost of poor communication in remote teams.

Remote work has forever changed how we collaborate. With nearly half of employees working remotely post-pandemic (up from just 30% before), digital tools like email, Slack, or Zoom have replaced informal chats by the water cooler. But no amount of tech can compensate for a lack of clear communication. Effective communication isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—it’s critical for thriving in today’s professional landscape.

Here’s the good news: As an employee, you have the power to take the lead in fostering seamless communication with your remote manager. With a blend of strategy, the right tools, and consistent habits, you can transform your work dynamic from “confused and chaotic” to “smooth and productive.”

Let’s break it down.

Why Communication is the Lifeline of Remote Teams

The stakes are high

Remote work has undeniable perks. According to Stanford research, remote workers are 13% more efficient due to fewer office distractions. But that efficiency can crumble without clear communication. Poor instructions, missed signals, and unsolved roadblocks derail progress and erode trust.

On the flip side, when communication is rock-solid, remote teams thrive. Productivity surges, deadlines are met with ease, and trust deepens between employees and managers. As CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve seen this firsthand: strong communication acts as the glue that holds even the most geographically scattered teams together. Without it, no advanced tool or workflow can keep your efforts on track.

Common pitfalls to look out for

Whether it’s conflicting schedules or language misunderstandings, remote communication isn’t without its challenges.

Here’s a quick rundown of common hurdles:

• Time zones: Ever tried scheduling a meeting between New York and Tokyo? Enough said.
• Language barriers: Words or tone can take on unintended meanings, especially in diverse global teams.
• Tech glitches: A laggy Zoom call will crush even the best-planned agenda.
• Lack of face-to-face cues: Without non-verbal signals, misinterpretations are far more common.

The good news? These aren’t insurmountable obstacles. Let’s explore some proven strategies.

How to Build Clear Communication Channels with Remote Managers

Align on expectations early

Think of unclear expectations as potholes on the road to success. Avoid them from the start.

• Create a communication plan: Agree upfront on which tools to use for which purpose (e.g., Slack for quick Q&A, email for detailed updates). This is essential. Setting Clear Expectations requires leaving zero room for ambiguity.
• Schedule check-ins: Weekly meetings might feel repetitive, but they catch issues before they spiral.
• Clarify goals: Ensure both sides define priorities, timelines, and workflows from Day 1—it’s worth it.

Embrace the right tools without overcomplicating things

Don’t fall into the trap of overload. A thoughtfully chosen toolkit can eliminate unnecessary back-and-forth.

Here are my go-to picks:

• Video calls: Platforms like Zoom or Google Meet recreate face-to-face interactions. Bonus: Turn on your camera—it’s amazing how much trust builds from seeing facial expressions.
• Chat apps: Slack and Microsoft Teams are perfect for quick clarification. Keep channels organized to avoid noise.
• Task management tools: Trello, Asana, or ClickUp let you track progress, especially if your manager prefers asynchronous updates.

Remember, efficiency doesn’t come from the number of apps you install but how you use them. Effective Use of Tools can save precious time, reduce stress, and boost collaboration.

Build trust—Brick by brick

Trust is easy to lose and difficult to regain, especially in virtual settings. When managers trust their employees, micromanagement decreases, and autonomy rises.

Here’s how to earn that trust:

• Proactively share updates: Don’t wait for your manager to chase you for answers.
• Accept feedback professionally: Demonstrating a growth mindset makes your manager feel heard and respected.
• Highlight your wins: If you saved time with a new process, let your manager know—it reinforces your value to the team.

And if your team feels disconnected, suggest small steps like virtual coffee chats or trivia nights. After all, connection doesn’t need to be bound by walls. Building Trust starts with consistent communication and genuine engagement.

A Real-World Example: GitLab’s Communication Blueprint

GitLab, an all-remote company, offers a roadmap for successful remote communication. They emphasize transparency and asynchronous workflows. Instead of forcing everyone into the same Zoom calls, they document decisions in shared platforms and record updates employees can watch on their own time.

Their use of Slack, custom tools, and meticulous written processes ensures no one works in the dark. Most importantly, they cultivate an open feedback culture, eliminating hierarchy when it comes to idea-sharing.

The takeaway? When people trust the system—and each other—great things happen.

Becoming a Better Listener: An Underrated Superpower

Listening is not passive; it’s an active skill. When was the last time you rephrased a task to confirm alignment? Phrases like “Just to confirm we’re aligned…” or “Let me summarize to ensure clarity…” can save teams hours of rework.

Taking notes, asking clarifying questions, and eliminating distractions during meetings reinforce trust and reduce misunderstandings by half.

Time Zone Headaches? Here’s How to Solve Them

Time zones feel inevitable, but solutions exist:

1. Scheduling apps like Calendly or Google Calendar simplify coordination.
2. Rotate inconvenient meetings so no one is always the one staying up late.
3. Record key discussions so colleagues can listen asynchronously.

Flexibility ensures everyone feels respected, regardless of location.

Wrapping It Up

The rise of remote work isn’t just about shifting locations—it’s redefining how we connect and collaborate. And while it’s easy to blame tech hurdles or schedules for communication problems, it starts with the fundamentals: clear expectations, proactive habits, and trust.

Start small. Set one new meeting ritual, suggest an updated workflow, or test a new collaboration tool. Bit by bit, you’ll not only improve communication but elevate your entire team’s success.

At Complete Controller, we’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs streamline operations, and I firmly believe communication is the key. Ready to make a change? Let’s rebuild the way you collaborate—starting today.

For more tips, visit Complete Controller.

FAQ

What’s the biggest challenge in managing remote communication?

Time zones and misunderstandings from a lack of non-verbal cues are the most common roadblocks.

What tools help improve remote communication?

Platforms like Zoom (video), Slack (chat), and Asana (task management) streamline workflows effectively.

How do you build trust with remote managers?

Share updates, accept feedback gracefully, and highlight small wins to demonstrate reliability.

Why is active listening so important?

It ensures clarity, reduces confusion, and builds rapport between employees and managers.

How can you navigate time zone differences?

Embrace asynchronous updates, use scheduling apps, and rotate meeting times to respect all team members.

Sources 

Academic and Research Sources:

1. American Psychological Association. (2024). Time Management in Remote Work.

Company Research and Guides:

1. GitLab. GitLab’s Guide to All-Remote: https://about.gitlab.com/company/culture/all-remote/guide/.

Industry Reports and Statistics:

1. Notta. Remote Work Statistics: 50+ Key Facts to Know in 2025.
2. Teamcamp. 25 Surprising Remote Work Stats to Know in 2025.

Professional Articles and Blogs:

1. Indeed. Remote Team Communication: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/remote-team-communication.
2. Hive. Remote Team Communication: https://hive.com/blog/remote-team-communication/.
3. LumApps. Engaging Remote Employees: https://www.lumapps.com/digital-workplace/engaging-remote-employees-strategies/.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

By: Jennifer Brazer

Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

Accounting 101: A Guide to Mastering the Basics of Accounting

Welcome to Accounting 101, where we strip away the intimidation and break down the essentials of accounting. Whether you’re a business owner trying to make sense of your books or someone aiming to take control of personal finances, you’ve come to the right place. As the CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve spent years helping individuals and businesses master their finances—and trust me, it’s simpler than it seems.

Accounting isn’t just about crunching numbers; it’s about clarity, decision-making, and seeing the financial landscape as it truly is. Today, I’m sharing the foundational principles you need to get started, equipping you with tools to track, understand, and leverage your financial data. So, let’s get started, step by step.

Why Accounting is Non-Negotiable

Accounting is more than “keeping the books.” It’s the backbone of any financial operation, whether you’re running a Fortune 500 company or just trying to figure out where your paycheck disappears every month. Here’s why you need accounting in your life:

• Understand Your Money: Know exactly where your earnings are going and whether you’re living within your means—or beyond them.
• Stay Legal: Falling behind on tax filings can lead to headaches (or worse). Accurate accounting keeps you aligned with legal requirements.
• Build Credibility: Thinking about taking out a loan or wooing investors? Your financial records are the proof they’ll ask for.
• Plan for the Future: You can’t create a solid budget without understanding your financial starting point.

Believe me, with accurate accounting, you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving.

Basic Accounting Principles Everyone Should Know

Like any field, accounting has its core principles. These form the framework for understanding how money is tracked and reported. Let’s focus on two essentials that will help you grasp the bigger picture.

The accounting equation

The whole system of accounting boils down to one simple formula:

Assets = Liabilities + Equity

In plain terms: what you own (your assets) minus what you owe (your liabilities) equals your net worth (equity). For example, if your company owns $50k in assets and owes $30k, the $20k leftover is your equity. Keep this equation in mind—it’s the foundation for balance sheets, which we’ll explore shortly.

GAAP vs. IFRS

If you’ve spent time Googling accounting terms, you’ve likely come across these acronyms:

• GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles): Standardized U.S. accounting rules. Want to dive deeper? Check out GAAP guidelines.
• IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards): The global equivalent to GAAP. It’s less rule-focused and more about broad principles.

Most small businesses won’t need to worry about IFRS, but understanding the differences can be crucial if you plan to operate internationally.

Financial Statements: Your Business’s Story in Numbers

Financial statements might seem daunting, but they tell a story. In fact, they are chapters in a book about your business’s financial health.

Three key types of financial statements

1. Balance Sheet: Provides a summary of your assets, liabilities, and equity at a single point in time. Think of it as a snapshot of your financial health.
2. Income Statement: Sometimes called a profit-and-loss report, this shows revenues and expenses over a specific period. If you’re making money—or bleeding it—this report tells the tale.
3. Cash Flow Statement: Tracks the movement of cash in and out of your accounts during a specific time frame and provides a clearer picture than just a bank balance.

Take Amazon as an example. Unlike many companies, their annual reports begin with the cash flow statement, emphasizing how critical cash management is for understanding overall financial health. You’d be surprised what these reports can reveal about trends and potential red flags.

For a detailed explanation of these reports, don’t miss this excellent resource provided by the SEC.

Making Sense of Accounting Terminology

Accounting jargon can be confusing. Let’s simplify a few key terms:

• Assets: What you own—think money in the bank, equipment, or inventory.
• Liabilities: Debts or obligations, like loans or outstanding bills.
• Equity: What’s left after deducting liabilities from assets—your net worth.
• Revenue: Money coming in; picture your salary, sales, or rental income.
• Expenses: Do you know where your money’s going? Expenses include rent, utilities, and unexpected costs.

With these basics, you’ll already sound like a pro.

Bookkeeping: The Foundation of Accounting

Here’s a truth bomb: solid bookkeeping is non-negotiable. It forms the foundation for great accounting. Without it, everything crumbles.

Practical bookkeeping tips to get started

1. Journal Entry Basics: Record every financial transaction, no matter how small.
2. Organize with Ledgers: Group entries by categories (e.g., income, expenses).
3. Trial Balance Tool: Use this to ensure the books balance out and catch errors early.

If this feels overwhelming, start small. For more guidance, check out bookkeeping basics for beginners.

And here’s a hack from my own experience—going digital with bookkeeping tools, like QuickBooks or Wave, can save you hours of manual work.

Top Accounting Software for Small Businesses

Gone are the days of spreadsheets. Modern accounting software is user-friendly, affordable, and incredibly powerful. Some of my favorites:

• QuickBooks: Perfect for both beginners and seasoned accountants.
• Xero: Streamlined for growing businesses.
• Wave: Free and perfect for freelancers or small operations.

For the budget-conscious, here’s another insider tip: try free tools like ZipBooks Starter or Brightbook for simple bookkeeping without the expense.

The Role of Accountants

Even with all the tools, there’s no replacement for an accountant’s expertise. As someone who has built a career working closely with businesses, I can tell you firsthand how valuable accountants are. They help with:

• Tax Prep & Filing: Minimize liabilities and maximize deductions.
• Compliance: Ensuring financial accuracy and regulatory adherence.
• Strategic Guidance: Offering data-driven insights for sustainable growth.

Final Takeaways

Accounting isn’t rocket science—it’s a skill set you can master with the right knowledge and tools. By understanding basic accounting principles like the accounting equation, making sense of financial statements, and setting up solid bookkeeping practices, you’re already ahead of the game.

Ready to level up? Learn more about staying ahead with the latest accounting innovations and trends.

FAQ

What is the difference between GAAP and IFRS?

GAAP is U.S.-specific, while IFRS is used globally. GAAP follows strict accounting rules; IFRS emphasizes broad principles.

Which accounting software should I use?

QuickBooks is user-friendly, Xero excels for growing businesses, and Wave works well for freelancers.

Why are financial statements important?

They show whether you’re making a profit, managing debt responsibly, and maintaining healthy cash flow.

How should a beginner start bookkeeping?

Start with journal entries, organize them into ledgers, and verify using trial balances.

Why is accounting essential for small businesses?

It ensures you track revenue, manage expenses, find tax advantages, and plan for sustainable growth.

Sources

• Corporate Finance Institute. “Financial Statements Examples – Amazon Case Study.“ Corporate Finance Institute.
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Free Accounting Tools for Small Businesses.“ U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
• Franzoni, Marco. “Accounting 101: Basic Accounting Principles for Beginners.“ Disruptive Labs.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

An onboarding process is when the organization informs newly hired employees about the company’s procedures and operations to improve their integration with the work team.

Finding and hiring personnel for your organization requires skills. If you are a human resources manager reading this essay, you will agree with me.

Hiring new employees is a vital process. Therefore, applying a series of steps is essential to help you solve it best.

Steps to Carry Out an Onboarding Process

Follow the steps below to successfully integrate your new employees. Let them feel they made the right decision by joining your workforce!

Here are the steps to onboarding a new employee.

Get Ready

First, onboarding a new employee requires planning. Therefore, plan your schedule, prepare your location and work team, and prepare all the necessary documentation for your total integration. Inform all your employees about the new hire and the work you will be doing within the company; this will give the new employee a sense of importance because they will feel that you expected their arrival.

The Reception

On the first day, schedule a time to introduce it to everyone and let the employee know that he is welcome and that he feels like a member of the team:

• Take a guided and complete tour of the office
• Introduce it to colleagues and mention the group with which the employee will collaborate
• Share essential information about team dynamics
• Plan an informal meeting, for example, over lunch, to discuss how he is doing on his first day at work

Keep Expectations Clear

From the first week onwards, you should set clear expectations to get the results you want:

• Talk to the new employee about their duties and responsibilities.
• Define what you expect as a company in terms of skills and attitudes.
• Inform and make available the company’s policies and procedures.
• Inform the company of your obligations and vice versa.

Follow Up

Even after the employee completes the onboarding process, the integration doesn’t end. It is vital to ensure he understands his tasks well and how his roles contribute to the organization’s overall performance. It also takes time to gather information about the orientation process, ask if everything is going well, and ask if he feels comfortable in the new role.

One way to get user feedback on the onboarding process is through an employment induction survey to ask employees for their opinions, especially in their first few weeks or months on the job.

Since everything around them is new, new employees may feel overwhelmed. As a senior manager, you must ensure that your managers are technically and socially competent.

The result will be employee retention, greater productivity, and constant improvement in the integration process. To improve the whole process, you will need to apply a good questionnaire that allows you to collect comments and answers.

Benefits of Surveying the Integration Process

The integration process differs significantly from one company to another. The onboarding process begins when a candidate accepts an offer and joins your company as an employee.

You must take this procedure seriously. The majority of businesses get lost in the first phase.

Once the new employee completes the onboarding process, you will need to use a survey or questionnaire on a routine basis to collect their feedback and reactions to the entire process.

Some of the advantages of surveying better the integration process are as follows:

• The increased lifetime value of employees

By successfully implementing a recruitment questionnaire, you can increase the lifetime value of an employee.

When new employees join your firm, their initial performance will be poor as they still need to recognize the work environment and what type of work you expect. However, you may accomplish two things with an excellent new employee questionnaire:

• The total time it takes for the employee to contribute to the team will be reduced.
• Let the employees enhance their social circle at the workplace.

Identify the Gaps

Knowing what to change is essential for effectively improving the hiring or incorporation process. This will help the manager or the employer identify gaps in training and knowledge.

Improve the Feedback Process

By implementing a questionnaire for new employees during onboarding, you contribute to the feedback process, improving engagement levels. Employees should feel that they are being listened to and that the suggestions or points they make are actually being considered.

Valuable Data

You are in the treasure of data; these are the potential characteristics of a survey. You have to pay attention to the analysis. Also, you have to be consistent every year. Being an entrepreneur of an organization, you can also find the answers to those questions you have been exploring or struggling with for a long time. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

When it comes to our personal finances, there are many different types to consider. It can be overwhelming to navigate the various options available, but understanding the different types of finances can help you make informed decisions and stay on track with your financial goals. In this article, we’ll explore some examples of different types of finances and how they can be used to improve your economic well-being.

First up is savings accounts. Banks and credit unions often offer these accounts, which are an excellent option for storing money and earning interest. Savings accounts typically offer lower interest rates than other types of investments, but they are also low-risk and accessible. They can be used to save for short-term goals, such as a vacation, a down payment on a home, or a place to park your emergency fund.

Another type of finance to consider is a checking account. This is the account you use to manage your daily expenses, such as paying bills and making purchases. Checking accounts can come with various features like online banking, mobile check deposits, and overdraft protection. Some banks may charge fees for using their checking accounts, so read the fine print before opening an account. Credit cards are also a popular type of finance. They allow you to borrow money from a lender and pay it back with interest.

Credit cards can be an excellent tool for building credit and earning rewards, such as cashback or travel points. However, they can also be a slippery slope if not used responsibly. High interest rates and fees can quickly add up, leading to debt and financial stress.

If you’re looking to invest your money, there are several options to consider. One popular choice is a mutual fund. A mutual fund is an investment that pools money from multiple investors to purchase stocks, bonds, and other assets. This allows you to diversify your investments and potentially earn higher returns than you would with a single stock or bond. However, mutual funds also come with fees and risks, so it’s essential to do your research before investing.

Another investment option is real estate. This can include buying a rental property, investing in a real estate investment trust (REIT), or flipping houses. Real estate can be a lucrative investment but also requires a significant amount of upfront capital and comes with risks such as market fluctuations and unexpected expenses.

If you’re looking to borrow money, several types of loans must be considered. One common type is a personal loan. You can use this loan for various purposes, such as consolidating debt, paying for a wedding, or making home improvements. Personal loans typically come with fixed interest rates and a set repayment schedule.

Another type of loan is a student loan. You can use this loan to pay for college or other education-related expenses. Student loans can come from the government or private lenders, typically with lower interest rates than different types of loans. However, they can also be difficult to repay, especially if you have a large amount of debt.

Finally, let’s talk about retirement accounts. These accounts are designed to help you save for retirement and can come in several forms, such as 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions. Retirement accounts offer tax advantages and can help you build a nest egg for your golden years. However, they also come with rules and restrictions, such as penalties for early withdrawals.

In conclusion, there are many different types of finances to consider when managing your finances. Whether you’re looking to save money, invest for the future, or borrow money, there is an option that can fit your needs. The key is to do your research, understand the risks and benefits, and make informed decisions that align with your financial goals. You can build a solid foundation for a secure financial future by staying informed and taking control of your finances.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

List of All Products and Services Provided by Amazon

1. Cloud computing

Thanks to “Amazon Web Services,” this company provides a wide range of public cloud computing services, and together they form a powerful cloud computing platform over the Internet through Amazon’s official website. With that in mind, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the most comprehensive cloud platform in the world today, and millions of users have already made the switch.

2. E-commerce

One of the primary services guaranteed by Amazon is its e-commerce platform, from which it offers products of all types to customers worldwide. Due to its excessive success and quality as a business, it has been considered the king of e-commerce for many years because it was the pioneer in this type of online business.

3. VOD

While this is true, Video on Demand is an OTT television service consisting of a mode of streaming media content that allows users to access specific content anytime they wish and view it online. Thus, VOD has evolved, and Amazon has decided to utilize it to its advantage.

4. Smart speakers

As if that wasn’t enough, Amazon also offers its users smart speakers called “Echo Speakers.” Of which there are several models with different characteristics that can adapt to the needs of each person, and by receiving the famous Amazon official voice assistant, that is, Alexa.

Amazon’s Echo speakers, on the other hand, provide excellent sound quality for all your presentations, and that’s one of the best benefits they offer. Also, they are for use with high-definition music services, and most importantly, these are cheap devices compared to other solutions.

List of All Products and Services Provided by Alibaba

1. E-commerce

Of course, Alibaba’s most essential service is in the e-commerce space. In this sense, it has established partnerships with several Chinese and international companies that need stocks or manufacturers to offer all their products from this platform. It perfectly serves the various buyers and sellers who choose to use this solution.

2. Cloud computing

Thanks to its “Alibaba Cloud” service, this e-commerce platform also provides cloud computing services for online businesses and its e-commerce ecosystem. Which services are available on a pay-per-use basis and add elastic computing, data storage, processing, relational databases, anti-DDoS protection, and networking?

3. Web hosting solution

In addition to the above, Alibaba Cloud also provides ideal web hosting solutions for any professional environment, whatever its size. Since then, Web Hosting Solution has offered complete assistance in cost reduction, maintenance, and IT development while ensuring the stability and security of the website in question.

Amazon vs. Alibaba: The Ultimate Comparison of e-Commerce Titans!

Due to their different strengths, Amazon and Alibaba are now considered the titans of the e-commerce world. Therefore, it is helpful to distinguish what are their most notable differences. Only then is it possible to conclude which of the two platforms is the best, depending on the requirements or expectations of each user.

Inventory

Based on direct sales, Amazon has a comprehensive inventory in its huge warehouse network and regularly refreshes it. Furthermore, the service gives a platform for other partner shops to sell items to consumers. These products have a higher purchase price, allowing Amazon to avoid delayed inventory, which would merely disperse earnings.

Users

As a platform known worldwide for many years, Jeff Bezos eCommerce is hosting over 310 million active customer accounts, increasing more and more.

However, due to the enormous boom that Alibaba brought to the world, over 443 million active buyers are on this platform, mainly because China still has the most extensive user base globally.

Of sales

On the other hand, concerning sales of each e-commerce platform, we reveal that Amazon almost quadruples e-commerce sales and has additional revenue from cloud services and subscriptions far superior to those of the Asian society.

Prices and offers

One of Alibaba’s main goals is to generate optimal platform benefits for sellers. Consequently, it offers better prices and more significant offers so that any entrepreneur can quickly boost their activity and position themselves in the search rankings without spending so much money.

Variety of products

When it comes to the catalog managed by these two platforms, Amazon leads compared to Alibaba. Amazon is a much more varied service, and therefore, it classifies as a “whole store.” Users will find endless products that are not even available on the Asian platform. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Few people know that Google’s voice search has existed before – but not in the same way as it works today. The first version of Google’s voice search was launched as early as 2010, almost ten years ago. Then the users had to call a specific number and repeat their search (for example, “recipe for pancakes”), which updated the search results page based on what was said during the call.

Of course, this did not work as smoothly as today, but the exciting thing is that it already used the service then. Since then, Google has developed voice search to include the service in increasing the company’s apps and products. And today, voice search is a natural tool when searching for information.

 

How do I Develop My Site for Voice Search?

Now we have looked at what voice search is and found that the searches that take place via voice are constantly increasing. We can state that voice search is here to stay, making it an increasingly important part to include in an SEO strategy to avoid losing traffic in the future.

If you are already working with search engine optimization, there is a good chance that they are already part of your daily work. Below I go through each one a little closer.

 

Focus on Long-Tail Terms and Questions

Searches that occur via voice tend to be longer and more natural than those that occur via text. It means that we need to design the content on the website in the same way – with long-tail terms and issues. We are simply looking as we speak.

Start by developing a keyword analysis focusing on long-tail keywords to get you started and plan your content.

 

Be Sure to Keep the Local Content Up to Date

Google has long adapted the search results to where you are. The voice search is no exception, as most voice searches are questions related to different local places and how to get there.

Therefore, ensure that all local content on the site is current and that the information available on Google Maps and Google My Business is consistent. If it does not, you risk sending your visitors to the wrong addresses at troubled times – and you do not want that!

 

Structured Data Help to Understand the Content

Structured data enables search engines to recognize various aspects of your website. For example, it is possible to markup product information such as price, stock balance, and ratings to get more decadent hits in the search results.

Not so long ago, there was also a new inclusion in structured data called Speakable, which helps search engines determine which part of the text is best suited for reading. In other words, this is perfect for telling search engines what content suits your voice!

 

Visibility in Direct Answers

Direct Answers allows Google to give its users extra quick answers by presenting the solution directly in the search results, above the organic hits. You can see it as ranking “zero.” And during a voice search, precisely this snippet of text is read out in response. Evaluate it yourself!

 

Optimize Your Site’s Load Times – Every Second Makes a Difference

Page loading will always be essential in SEO as it determines how long it takes before the site has finished loading and can display all the content for you. It is even more effective in mobile searches, as is the voice search – where every second makes a difference, and quick answers are necessary.

Did you know visitors tend to leave a site that takes more than 2 seconds to load?

 

Summation

The voice search is here to stay. It is going nowhere, and the trend shows that searches that take place with the help of the voice will increase even more in the coming years and change how we search. It becomes obvious when phrases like “Hey Siri,” “Hey Alexa,” and “OK, Google” become a more natural part of our everyday lives.

 It is necessary to keep up the journey and create a strategy for how your website will answer this type of search already here – which will undoubtedly be even more in the future.

Good luck with the optimization!

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Full-time at work? Total time from home? Or a hybrid workplace? The debate over whether to work from home has been a big topic for a long time, and the trend is that so many individuals would like to keep this opportunity at least as a second or part-time job. Besides making your staff more comfortable, a hybrid workplace has several other advantages.

One of the benefits increases flexibility—both for the employees and the company. When employees can work from wherever they want, the company gets a more extensive supply in the labor market. You may recruit throughout many more significant geographical regions when you do not have to consider distance when hiring your workers.

A mixed workforce also offers less environmental impact. Employees’ commute and from work and smaller premises that use less power are all factors to consider.

Benefits of Hybrid Workplace

According to Microsoft, the ability to work from home improves employees’ overall health by making life’s challenges easier to solve.

A hybrid workplace has a lot of benefits, but it also has a lot of disadvantages. As a result, it is critical to have a clear plan and a suitable framework for how employees and supervisors operate so that productivity and culture do not suffer.

Productive Hybrid Workplace

The pandemic has accelerated digitization and enhanced our capacity to cooperate, interact, and communicate remotely in ways no one could have predicted a few years ago. But now, there are more indications that a digital form of working is not only a temporary solution but an increasingly positive experience that offers new opportunities for employees and organizations.

The following are some points for a productive hybrid workplace:

Clear goals will be challenging to manage a widely scattered workforce without defined objectives. What is expected of the group or person in the course of the day, end of the week, or at month’s end? Continuously conduct stand-up meetings to receive a summary of the present status and goals and check in to see whether they have been met.

• Trust your employees

Because the short conversation over the café is gone when workers work from home, there is no need for a detailed understanding of what each employee accomplishes during the day if the team has defined goals. It is more challenging for leaders and managers to visualize how things are progressing in various projects. Trusting their staff is especially vital in this situation. Many managers need to oversee projects in minute detail, which stifles innovation and development.

• Focus on productivity, not the activity

The primary benefit of a hybrid workplace is that it allows employees more flexibility in their working hours. Many companies are concerned that their employees are not working their scheduled hours. Still, rather than focusing on whether their employees are active between periods, they should concentrate on completing their objectives.

• Make leaders and decision-makers easily accessible

Employees should be able to readily access decision-makers when concerns occur in a hybrid workplace to run as effectively as feasible. It is not unusual for managers to spend their days in meetings, but you need to build a culture where you can effortlessly engage with people who make the decisions. It is up to each team to determine whether they choose to communicate by calls, emails, or chat. Accessibility must become ingrained in the hybrid workplace’s culture.

• Have the right tools in place

Technology plays a crucial role in establishing an effective hybrid workplace. Collaboration and communication technologies are essential to make this possible when working together from a distance. Remember that touch should be simple to understand and that there should be options for diverse groups. Telephone, multimedia, conversations, and informational pages are necessary for employees to maintain high efficiency and production levels.

• Encourage social initiatives

When it comes to a hybrid environment and working remotely, one of the most common concerns among entrepreneurs is the cultural element. It is critical to support social efforts to achieve a successful solution. It might be anything from scheduling regular after-work activities to purchasing a basic chat app so employees can speak informally.

Conclusion

If the deployment is done correctly, those investing wisely in a hybrid workplace can yield substantial returns. When implemented correctly, the hybrid strategy may provide the right balance, but the road ahead will not be easy.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Behind every successful company is a kick-ass social media strategy. Of course, companies communicating with existing and potential customers on social media is nothing new. But that is not as easy as tweeting a few times, sharing a photo on Instagram, or updating your Facebook status. Here are six suggestions for creating a great social media plan to propel your company to the next level!

What is a Social Media Strategy?

A strategy for social media is like a roadmap for using social media to accomplish a specific target. Managing social media strategically entails determining why you should be on social media, which channels to focus on, what sort of information to publish in those channels, how frequently to publish, and what objectives you would like to attain with your involvement.

Companies should always have a social media strategy that supports and helps them achieve their goals. Increasing leads, web traffic, or brand exposure are examples of social media marketing aims.

1. Start from the beginning with your social media strategy

The cornerstones of a successful social media strategy are purpose and quantifiable objectives. Your objective should be the first consideration in your social media approach. Why is it essential for you to be visible on social media? Is it a tool for recruiting new personnel or attracting new customers? Set goals when you have figured out what you want to achieve using social media. Then, it will be much easier to figure out what changes you need to make to achieve your goals.

2. Less is more fun sometimes

Your social media plan should include a method for deciding which platforms to prioritize. Being seen and heard on social media is pointless unless you have a reason to be there. Consider where your target group is located to determine which network or networks suit your firm. Do you want to try Instagram to gain new subscribers for a culinary course? Combining availability on two or three distinct platforms may be a winning formula, but do not forget to adjust the tone and theme to the medium.

3. Content is always crucial in a social media strategy

Content is a and o, as you surely know, even on social media. Allowing your channels to become a buzz channel where you solely post “for that” is bad. Your feed is not a “display” where you can shout whatever you want to your followers. It can, on the other hand, be damaging to your reach. Today, all social media platforms reward accounts that produce valuable material for their followers. As a result, attempt to generate appropriate material for social media and, more importantly, for your audience and the channel you will distribute your content. So, the focus is on the target group!

4. Advertising is an integral part of the strategy

Companies are increasingly finding it difficult to grow their organic channels’ reach. On the one hand, they struggle against individual status updates and regularly build algorithms to promote users. There is even a rumor that organic postings from a corporate page only reach its subscribers 10% (!). As a result, it will be critical to set aside a portion of the marketing cost for promotion and emphasize advertising as a vital component of the social media strategy.

Feel free to prepare beforehand and create a per-year cycle for different events inside the firm where a little gunpowder would be helpful. An online seminar or a planned event? In your social media plan, do not forget to include lead-generating activities. They are ideal candidates for advertising! LinkedIn is the way to go if you sell B2B services, whereas Instagram and Facebook are better for B2C.

5. Who is responsible for the social media strategy?

Appoint anyone, or a group, to be responsible for social media. These individuals ensure that the company’s social media plan is conducted. Allow these individuals to generate ideas, create content, schedule postings, set up advertisements, and continually grow the work. Remember to respect the social media platforms; this is not something you should worry about on top of your other responsibilities. You are welcome to have weekly standing meetings to plan future social activities. As a result, the possibility of inadequate information with no real purpose is reduced.

6. Optimization, optimization, optimization

Whenever it comes to social media, there are (usually) no right or wrong answers, yet specific postings are more popular than others – find out why. The publishing that did not meet the criteria should be analyzed to see where you can improve next time. It is constantly about assessing, monitoring, and optimizing when it comes to social media. To design your social media strategy, you will need insights. You can permanently erase and redo it if something goes wrong. You are on your way to writing your success narrative. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Are you worried about the rise in the price of electricity? Do you think you pay too much? Do not worry; saving light at home is easy. We tell you five essential tricks that will help you achieve it.

The price of electricity has risen and shows no signs of decreasing any time soon. The price per kilowatt in 2022, on average, was $0.14. In 2023, that average will have risen to about $0.23!

We cannot reduce the price of electricity in the wholesale market, which supplies the retailers that we later hire at home. Instead, we can take specific measures to consume less and reduce the bills in our house.

 

Watch the Appliances

The appliances that consume the lightest are the refrigerator, the television, the washing machine, the oven, and the computer. When you leave the TV, the PC, or a music device plugged in, you do not use them. The standby mode is activated. Currently, so-called silent consumption occurs. If you turn off all the on-standby devices, you can save 10% on the amount of light you use.

According to the gathered data, the refrigerator is, by far, the appliance that spends the lightest: a third of all household consumption. The washing machine accounts for almost 12% and the oven about 8%. If you also have a dishwasher, you will consume even more. Why? Because heating water is a function that needs more energy.

To reduce the consumption of appliances, you can do two things. First, stop by the store and invest in new devices with energy labeling A +, A ++, and A +++. This is a mandatory seal that indicates its energy efficiency and performance. Although it seems to you that it is a lot of money, they are more than profitable in the long run.

Second, if you do not want to make this investment, use programs with low temperatures when using the washing machine and the dishwasher. For the fridge, try to keep it in an area that is not extremely hot, never leave it open, clean the back frequently, and monitor the temperature. Maybe it is not necessary for the food you have to be so cold.

 

Adjust the Contracted Power

Once you have streamlined the use of appliances, saving light will be more accessible if you pay attention to your consumption. The lion’s share of your bill is the contracted power, the energy you can use to make your home function normally.

The contracted power is measured in kilowatts (kW) and appears on your bill. To understand it quickly, you pay for every kilowatt you can use. Then you will pay for the consumption, of course. This helpful calculator is an excellent way to know what power you can hire without passing or falling short.

 

Study Time Discrimination

Saving light by just changing your customs a little is possible. Hourly discrimination is a type of electricity tariff whose objective is to reduce consumption in the schedules of more energy demands. It works with the so-called peak hours (expensive) and valley hours (cheap). 

If you can concentrate a minimum of 30% of the light of your home in the valley hours, you can save up to $70 per year on your bill. By the way, do not worry. The rate is reversible if, in the end, you cannot adjust the hours of use of appliances—one more example of how to save light virtually.

 

Compare the Rates of the Marketers

Have you ever thought about changing the company of light? Marketers have quite different prices. Some have offered to attract customers, which usually has significant advantages.

The company change is an excellent way to save on the electricity bill. Do not worry; the supply will not be cut even if you change providers. The procedure is simple and free.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.